CVE-2006-4755 in phpMyDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in alpha.php in phpMyDirectory 10.4.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the letter parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4755 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpMyDirectory content management system version 10.4.6 and earlier. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts are injected into otherwise trusted websites. The vulnerability exists in the alpha.php script, which is likely responsible for handling alphabetical navigation or listing functionality within the directory structure. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code through manipulation of the letter parameter, which suggests the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices within the phpMyDirectory application. When users interact with the alphabetical navigation feature, the letter parameter is directly used in the generation of web pages without appropriate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious payloads that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve a broad user base. The lack of proper input filtering allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements that will be rendered when the page is displayed to legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited for various malicious activities. Users who visit pages containing the injected scripts may unknowingly have their session cookies stolen, leading to unauthorized access to their accounts or administrative privileges. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to redirect users to malicious websites, install malware, or perform other actions that compromise the security posture of the affected system. The persistence of such vulnerabilities in widely used applications like phpMyDirectory means that organizations relying on these systems face significant risk, particularly if they do not maintain up-to-date security patches or proper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability also aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics that can include malicious web content delivery.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in dynamic content generation. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper sanitization of the letter parameter within alpha.php to prevent script execution in the browser context. Security patches should be applied to upgrade to phpMyDirectory versions that address this vulnerability, as the original version 10.4.6 and earlier contain the flawed code that allows the injection of malicious scripts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits of web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of all input handling mechanisms to ensure that no other parameters within the application suffer from similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.